The Most Unusual Pet Names

October 17, 2008

Before we get into today's topic, I have some Friday freebies for you. If you live in New York City, you can pick up a free tree (flowering, medium and large shade types will be available) at several locations this weekend and next. Thanks to American Express for sponsoring the events. For locations and info, please go to MillionTreesNYC. Tell your NYC coworkers, family and friends. And consider planting a tree yourself (even if you have to pay for it). I recently planted two new apple trees and within months was enjoying crisp and juicy sweet fruit and helping to improve my garden's little ecosystem.

Earlier this week I mentioned how the world's fishery industry is in deep trouble. "Seafood sustainability" is a phrase you'll hear a lot in the years to come. It's critical that we do our part in helping to better manage fish and other ocean animal populations. Sushi lovers can order a free pocket guide listing sustainable choices and other valuable information. You can also learn about a National Sushi Party taking place all over America next week. Please go here for more info.

Moving on, yesterday I had an enjoyable chat with Brian Iannessa of VPI Pet Insurance. (I'll save a discussion on pet insurance for another day, but if you have a dog, cat, bird or an exotic pet under the age of 10, you really should look into it. Saves sticker shock and worse if an emergency or serious illness strikes.) VPI is America's oldest and largest provider of pet health insurance and the staff there recently documented the weirdest dog and cat names out of their 465,000 + animal members. The following are the results:

Dogs:
1. Rush Limbark
2. Sirius Lee Handsome
3. Rafikikadiki
4. Low Jack
5. Meatwad
6. Peanut Wigglebutt
7. Scuddles Unterfuss
8. Sophie Touch & Pee
9. Admiral Toot
10. Spatula

Cats:
1. Edward Scissorpaws
2. Sir Lix-A-Lot
3. Optimus Prrrime
4. Buddah Pest
5. Snoop Kitty Kitty
6. Miss Fuzzbutt
7. 80 Bucks
8. Sparklemonkey
9. Rosie Posie Prozac
10. Toot Uncommon

“The dog park would definitely be a more interesting place if you heard people saying, ‘Fetch, Rafikikadiki,’ or, ‘Come here, Meatwad,’” said Curtis Steinhoff, VPI’s senior director of corporate communications. “I might be a little hesitant to introduce people to Miss Fuzzbutt, or Sir Lix-a-lot, but I also can’t think of many better conversation starters.”

According to VPI, sometimes unique names are the result of unusual looks or even an uncommon behavior. Lisa Lazzaro of Tampa, Fla., went with Low Jack for her corgi mix due to the dog’s short legs and close proximity to the ground. Christine Edwards of Columbus, Ohio, named her dachshund Peanut Wigglebutt when she saw how the little puppy shook her tail so hard she would fall over. Bobbi Dobbler of Smock, Pa., didn’t have to think too hard to come up with her golden retriever’s name: Sophie Touch & Pee.

“Every time you would touch her, she’d get so excited you had to watch your shoes,” said Dobbler. “Her veterinarian has a bad habit of picking the pets up over his head when they come in for a checkup. I warned him about her, but he didn’t listen and ended up paying the price. Everyone loves Sophie Touch & Pee, but most people keep their distance.”

If you are thinking about adopting a new pet, most experts, however, advise that you choose a short name that can be easily distinguished from basic commands, such as "sit," "stay" or "kneel." That's especially true for dogs, and it's one reason why names like "Max" are so popular now. You wouldn't want to name your dog "Spit," for example, because every time you yelled, "Sit," it would just think you're calling its name. (If you swear a lot, particularly when picking up after your dog, you'd confuse your pet too.)

More wacky pet names identified in the survey can be found by clicking on this link.

Comments

[Joelle]

My husband had a babysitter named Opal Basset. She was very small. She had to sit on a pillow to drive her big 1950's Chevrolet and still could not see over the steering wheel; she looked through it. The kids would tell each other to watch out! Here comes Opal Basset driving down the street!

Well, 12 years ago we got a little short basset hound. You know her name, I'm sure. Her chart at the vet was labeled Opal. We said, no, her name is not Opal, it's Opal Basset!

She is little and mellow and the sweetest dog around. She's an old lady now like the original Opal Basset of days gone by.

Opal's big mischievous partner, a neurotic, dog-aggressive, destructive (we're talking over $1000 damage to the house), separation-anxious rescue retriever, came with the name Holly, which greatly offended our neighbor who's daughter Holly is perfectly well behaved. Holly, the dog, not the neighbor, depends on 2 different doggie antidepressants to stay somewhat sane.

Opal is the boss, overpowered by sheer size and exuberance, but the boss nonetheless. Don't push her too far, we tell Holly, who always pushes her too far. Attitude, not size, is in charge here!

[Jen Viegas]

Your note gave me the best laugh of the day, Joelle. My mother used to drive a huge Buick and had to sit on a pillow too.
Opal Basset and Holly sound like quite a team. I picture them scheming over practical jokes to play on your less dog-friendly neighbor.
And long live little dogs with attitude! Great inspiration for all of us.

[PeggyR]

I noted the news regarding the first dog being found in Belgium and having lived 31,700 years ago, being similar in structure to a Siberian "but bigger". This is interesting because an EXISTING Belgian dog, the Berger Belge (or Belgian Shepherd Dog) is exactly this physical description AND belongs to the rare "D" clade that ties directly to wolves. I'd be very interested to see if anyone does any kind of comparison of the find to this particlular breed and very interested if anyone succeeds in pulling any DNA from the find.

[Jen Viegas]

Very interesting point about the Berger Belge, Peggy. If I'm in contact with the scientists again this week I will mention your note to them. Thank you for taking the time to write.

[Kate]

My lovely gray and white cat came with the name Monkeyface. We quickly changed it to Bootstrap Bill - and yes, we do call him by his full name.

[Kate]

Oh, and my brother once named his cat Numbnuts. :) We've always strived for unusual names for the pets in our family.

[Jen Viegas]

"Bootstrap Bill" is a cute name, evocative of a tough old cowboy, which might match your cat's character.
Thanks for checking in!

[Cindy H]

We had a West Highland White Terrier named Haggis - I wanted to name her something Scottish, and what's more Scottish than Haggis?

[Jen Viegas]

Something about haggis always makes me smile. I once went to a Scottish festival where they held a "ladies haggis throwing competition." Women had to hurl (with their arms and not the other way) huge lumps of haggis.
White terriers are beauties. Bet your Haggis was no exception.